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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

LLOYD Chitembwe is aware the rugged Vengere pitch poses difficulties in his team’s game-plan.

But, he is not going to lose sleep over it as CAPS United take their survival fight in the Castle Lager Premiership football against Cranborne Bullets at the Rusape venue on Sunday. It was when the Green Machine were preparing for their first leg encounter against the army side that all hell broke loose at the Harare giants back in May.

With the club bosses failing to honour their salary obligations, players almost failed to pitch up for the encounter at the National Sports Stadium.

When they eventually agreed to fulfil the fixture, they were put to the sword by a well-organised Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera-coached team who won the tie 2-0.

And the soldiers, who, just like CAPS United are not yet entirely safe from the chop, will welcome the five-time champions at their adopted home in Manicaland.

The condition of the pitch has always been flagged as it makes the execution of tactics hard.

Chitembwe has faced a lot this season and the bumpy pitch, though an issue, will not be of great concern for him.

The veteran gaffer would have thrown in the towel long back out of frustration given he has had to supervise hungry and angry staff but the Green Machine’s most decorated son chose to stay put.

The turbulence in the house has eased and Makepekepe are well on their course, not only to survive but to finish in a respectable position.

Makepekepe are high on confidence after winning their last match against Triangle at the National Sports Stadium last Sunday.

“I think we have had some very good preparations. We are expecting a good result. I think our previous 2-1 win over Triangle at the weekend gave us a huge lift.

“Obviously, the expectations from CAPS United have always been the same but in terms of confidence levels, I know our previous result did a lot to lift us.

“It is easier to approach a game coming from a win than coming from a defeat but all the same, all the games give us lessons whether you would have won or otherwise,” said Chitembwe.

“So we did pick some lessons from the previous games, those we won and those we lost.

“It’s always difficult to play at Vengere; the conditions of the pitch are not friendly, it’s bumpy, if you try to play the way we really play, it becomes difficult but good players will always have that knack to try and attack.

“They will always try to go with the tactical demands and do as much as they can to win matches.”

He said his team’s first leg defeat to Cranborne Bullets is not much of an issue going into this match although he acknowledged the game will be tough.

“Like I have always said, the result of our first leg match against Cranborne Bullets was back in May and a lot has happened between then and now.

“We are determined to win this match to continue on an upward trajectory. We have not done as much as we have always done as CAPS United but we need to punch as hard as we can in the remaining matches to finish the season in a respectable position.

“The last five games are obviously not very easy given the way we have played throughout the season but we have to try and get the points.

“The most important thing is to take each game as it comes. At the moment, we are focusing on our match against Cranborne Bullets. We are determined to get a result there and see what happens next.”